Experience

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  Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

  • Pittsburgh

  • Regional Director of Community Affairs

    • Apr 2015 - Present
    • Pittsburgh

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  Pro Communications

  • Consultant

    • Feb 2011 - Mar 2015

    •Provide media and communications consulting services. Clients (Past and present) Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Committee on Appropriations; Rendell for Governor Campaign (Western Region); Evans for Mayor Campaign (Philadelphia); the Heinz Endowments; Capitol Communications; Matta for Controller (Allegheny County); Benyak for Judge Campaign (Washington County); Thorpe Personal Care Homes; Triad Strategies (Harrisburg)

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  CBS Radio

  • Greater Pittsburgh Area

  • Talk Show Host

    • Jul 2011 - Feb 2015
    • Greater Pittsburgh Area

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  The Union Edge, Labor's Talk Radio

  • Greater Pittsburgh Area

  • Talk Show Host

    • Jul 2011 - Dec 2014
    • Greater Pittsburgh Area

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  Point Park University

  • Adjunct Professor/Journalism Department

    • Jan 1998 - May 2012

    •Taught undergraduate journalism courses including Introduction to Journalism, Interviewing Skills, Crime Reporting, News Reporting and Feature Writing. •Taught English and writing to non-traditional students, many of whom were enrolled in job training programs following the collapse of the steel industry and related manufacturing businesses.

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  House Appropriations Committee

  • Press Secretary

    • Jan 2007 - Dec 2010

    •Served as chief spokesperson and writer for former Chairman Dwight Evans.•Elevated former Chairman Evans’ public image to a national level with regard to his signature issues: education, economic development, and food access.•Managed and coordinated Chairman Evans’ extensive travel schedule. Planned all media and public appearances related to such. •Worked directly with committee, caucus and district staffs to present Chairman Evans’ positions in a manner consistent with his roles as a legislator, Appropriations chairman and Democrat caucus leader. •Interacted daily with state Capitol-based press corps, Philadelphia press and statewide and national media as well as caucus members, advocates and citizens. Drafted all speeches and op-ed pieces.•Developed extensive knowledge and understanding of the state budget and major policy issues.

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  Office of the Lieutenant Governor

  • Director of Communications

    • Oct 2005 - Jun 2006

    •Managed press, communications, correspondence and special events.•Built relationships with the Capitol press corps and statewide press; worked with administration and agency staffs to coordinate the Lieutenant Governor’s message. •Wrote and edited speeches, drafted correspondence, coordinated travel with security detail, redesigned Web site and supervised interns.

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  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

  • Staff writer

    • Jan 1987 - Oct 2005

    •Wrote stories for the newspaper’s 13 feature-related sections including the Daily Magazine, Weekend Magazine, Sunday edition and Food. Created and produced the Food section column titled “Worth the Trip,” and wrote a monthly column for the Wine & Spirits page.•Covered government and politics during the administrations of Governors Tom Ridge and Edward G. Rendell. Wrote stories about administrative and legislative initiatives related to the state budget including gambling, tax reform, education and crime.•Covered major breaking stories including natural disasters, prison breaks, airplane crashes and mine collapses. Specialized in crime and public safety issues including a federal consent decree for the Pittsburgh Police Department and a newly established Citizen Police Review Board. Generated and developed story ideas. Position required knowledge of police policies and procedures; an understanding of the legal process; and an ability to gather accurate information and write on deadline. Co-authored the book “All Nine Alive!” which told the story of the Quecreek Mine disaster.•Beat assignments included Allegheny and Westmoreland County Governments; Pittsburgh and McKeesport city governments, criminal and civil courts in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties; federal district court and suburban school boards and communities.